{
  "id": 9242552,
  "title": "HYBE takes K-pop cinema festival worldwide across 50 countries",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/23/hybe-takes-k-pop-cinema-festival-worldwide-across-50-countries",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-23T02:02:03.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Korea Times",
    "slug": "the-korea-times-koreatimes",
    "url": "https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/entertainment/k-pop/20260923/hybe-takes-k-pop-cinema-festival-worldwide-across-50-countries"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "HYBE, the agency responsible for the global success of BTS, has announced a groundbreaking expansion of its K-pop cinema franchise. Dubbed HYBE CINE FEST 2026, this week-long event will bring live concert broadcasts and exclusive feature films to over 1,100 movie theaters across approximately 50 countries. The festival is set to take place from October 24 to 31 and represents HYBE's most ambitious effort to turn traditional cinema into an interactive, communal gathering space for K-pop fans worldwide.\n\nIn Korea, the event will exclusively screen at Lotte Cinema, while in Japan, Japanese distributor Avex Pictures will handle the tailored rollout. The festival's origins can be traced back to 2024 when it was launched as a localized initiative in Latin America, attracting a staggering 260,000 attendees. Last year, the event expanded to Asia, drawing roughly 320,000 moviegoers. This year's edition marks a significant milestone as it transforms into a truly worldwide affair.\n\nThe festival will feature six distinct theatrical programs, showcasing never-before-seen content. HYBE's creative vision aims to revolutionize the cinema experience by creating an immersive environment that brings fans together to celebrate their shared love for K-pop.",
  "summary": "K-pop’s entertainment juggernaut is redefining what it means to go to the movies. HYBE, the agency behind BTS, announced Wednesday an ambitious expansion of its cinema franchise, bringing live concert broadcasts and exclusive feature films to more than 1,100 movie theaters across roughly 50 countries next month. The weeklong event, dubbed HYBE CINE FEST 2026, represents the company’s most…",
  "key_points": [
    "HYBE CINE FEST 2026 will be held from October 24 to 31.",
    "Event will be shown in over 1,100 theaters across 50 countries.",
    "Originated as Latin American initiative in 2024."
  ],
  "editors_take": "HYBE's global expansion of its K-pop cinema festival transforms traditional cinema into a communal gathering space for fans, marking a significant milestone in the agency's efforts to revolutionize the cinema experience.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Korea Times",
        "title": "HYBE takes K-pop cinema festival worldwide across 50 countries",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/23/hybe-takes-k-pop-cinema-festival-worldwide-across-50-countries-9246408",
        "published": "2026-09-23T02:27:03.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}